SANTA MONICA – It might just be time to put on your stretchy pants and head over to Main Street this weekend! MAINopoly is here for the fourth year in a row bringing with it music, delicious eats, and games!

If you’re not familiar, MAINopoly is pretty much a child’s dream come true: it brings Monopoly to life in an interactive event complete with ice cream, chicken, waffles and pretty much every other type of food.

However, it’s not just for kids, MAINopoly has a little something for everyone. For the over 21 crowd, jail has never looked so good. The “GO TO JAIL” VIP Beer Garden is complete with cold beer to sip on, a photo booth, a DJ, snacks, and games.

However, despite all the fun, the event is about more than just good music, good food, and good times. It all started when Gary Gordan from the Main Street Business Improvement District searched for a way to raise funds for Summer SOULstice and bring in new customers to Main street.

Together, with Spin PR group they “brainstormed some different ideas and came up with a fun, interactive play on the classic board game that introduces people to new businesses and restaurants they may have never been to before,” said organizer Kim Koury. That was four years ago, and since then, the event has grown in size and effect.

“It gets bigger every year! We had nearly 1,000 people attend,” Koury said in reference to last year’s crowd. “People love to get dressed up as Monopoly game board characters and participate in the festivities,” she concluded.

In addition to raising money for Summer SOULstice, MAINopoly raises money for Heal the Bay, an environmental organization dedicated to improving the environment. MAINopoly will run from 3:00-8:00 on May 28th on Main Street in Santa Monica.

Photos courtesy of Spin Public Relations.

SANTA MONICA- This Thursday, the shore of Santa Monica will be transformed with live music under the stars, DJ sets, new art instillations and a fashion show.  There will be dancing, drinks, and celebration when Heal the Bay hosts their annual Bring Back the Beach Awards Gala tomorrow, from 5:30-11:00, on Santa Monica Pier.

The purpose of the event is, “two-fold,’ says Communications Director of Heal the Bay, Matthew King. “It’s a gathering of the tribe here in Southern California.  We are very lucky that we have a diverse mix that comes out.  There’s surfers, there’s artists, there’s engineers, there’s scientists, and there’s soccer moms…we like to call it the biggest beach party of the year because it’s fun.  It’s really a chance to be out on the resource and enjoy the scenery so people can see what they’re working to protect.  So it’s fundraising, but it’s primarily a celebration,” he continued. And a celebration it will be as people from all walks of life come together to honor and support the organization that has given back to the environment so much.

Heal the Bay is a nonprofit committed to improving the quality of the waters in the Los Angeles area by making them healthy, safe and clean. They regularly host beach cleanups, focus on community engagement and education, and encourage congress to take action.  Their annual Gala raises hundreds of thousands of dollars to help them continue their environmental advocacy, community action, education programs, and scientific work.  It is a night full of dancing, drinking, fun, and honoring those who have been instrumental in assisting their cause.

This year’s Gala will honor KTLA 5 and Sharon Lawrence.  KTLA 5 has helped to raise public awareness about Heal the Bay’s cause by providing year round coverage about the organization’s major events.  Sharon Lawrence, an Emmy award nominated actress, has been on Heal the Bay’s board for 6 years.  She continually advocates for Heal the Bay’s cause and encourages fans, colleagues, and friends to get involved.

Tickets and more event details can be found on Heal the Bay’s website, or on their Eventbrite page for Bring Back the Beach.

Photos courtesy of Heal the Bay.